Physiological role of prolylcarboxypeptidase [Elektronische Ressource] / Ines Claudia Schadock. Gutachter: Michael Bader ; Nobert Hübner ; Achim Leutz

Physiological Role of Prolylcarboxypeptidase Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.) eingereicht an der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät I Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin von Dipl. Biologin Ines Claudia Schadock Präsident der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Prof. Dr. Jan-Hendrik Olbertz Dekan der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät I : Prof. Dr. Andreas Herrmann Gutachter/in: 1. Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Michael Bader 2. Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Nobert Hübner 3. Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Achim Leutz Datum der mündlichen Prüfung: 20.06.2011 ABSTRACT Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP, EC3.4.16.2) is an enzyme specifically cleaving the last carboxy-terminal amino acid from substrates containing a penultimate proline. Its known potential substrates are linked to cardiovascular and metabolic phenomenon. To analyse the in vivo function of this enzyme a PRCP knockout mouse was gener-ated. Homozygous knockout mice are viable but show tendency of decreased life span. In mice prcp expression is present in all tissues tested with very specific local-izations of prcp promotor activity to distinct brain areas within the cortex, hippocam-pus, hypothalamus and the brain stem. The metabolic phenotype of PRCP deficient mice is characterized by low body weight even when feeding the animals a high fat diet.